Application Server Backup
When using a backup application, you are basically
'copying' files to the backup server or tape device. This is
perfectly fine when backing up a file server, where a file is the
smallest entity you are working with. But what about application
servers?
Let's say you have a database server running Lotus Notes, DB2
or SQL Server. In these types of machines, files are just containers of
records in the database (for example, a Lotus Notes NSF file). This
file consists of all notes in the database. It also means that if you
change one character in one note, the entire NSF file changes. Normally,
this would mean the backup program would send the entire file to the
backup server. Since this way of working is not feasible, another
solution must be found.
Most backup applications have add-ons, which
allow you to back up application data (for example databases) on a
record level. If we continue the above example, it would mean that
changing one note in the entire Notes database would result in a backup
of only this note.
When an application server needs to be backed up,
check the availability of backup agents for the application. Since they
are application dependent, it could limit your choices of backup
software.
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